1788 Massachusetts Cent, With Period, PCGS F12 CAC. This privately minted 1788 Massachusetts Cent for the state of Massachusetts is chocolate brown with the fields somewhat lighter than the devices. While the coin shows moderate circulation wear, the denomination CENT is still partially visible across the eagles breast. Aside from two small obverse pits, the surfaces are hard and clean for the grade, which is confirmed by CAC indicating that the coin is choice and meets stringent standards for quality within the grade. The horizontal scratches across the reverse are on the holder not the coin.

The design for this coin was made by Joseph Callender, Paul Reveres student of State Street, Boston. The coin shows a standing Indian brave, facing left holding a bow and arrow, with one star above. The inscription COMMONWEALTH is written as two words separated by the portrait. The reverse shows an eagle with a bundle of arrows in its left claw and an olive branch in its right. On its breast is a shield with the word CENT at its top.

Callenders coins are identified by the open Ss. Calender lost his contract to make these coins because the General Court, the ruling legislative body of the state, thought his fees at 24 shillings per die were too high. Later pieces were made by Jacob Perkins of Newburyport. Perkins dies have closed Ss that look like 8s. Callenders pieces have two varieties, those with a period after the S in MASSACHUSETTS and those with no period. The present coin is the With Period after the S variety.

As of January 2012, CAC shows 1 in F12 with 14 better.